2008 CHRYSLER NEW CAR MODEL GUIDE

The winged badge of Chrysler decorates the prow of a variety of vehicles this year. Chrysler's 2008 collection includes stately sports touring sedans, a drop-top convertible, racy two-seat sports coupes and roadsters, a large crossover utility vehicle (CUV), a grand-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) and elegant minivans. Newsmakers in Chrysler's line include the Sebring with a new definition of the classic American convertible, and the Town & Country minivan for a new generation featuring three clever designs for cabin seats.

300 Series
Chrysler's flagship series of large-scale sedans shows refreshed exteriors and revamped cabins with a new instrument panel. Three engines motivate the 300 sedans through trims of the base 300, Touring, Limited and 300C. The cushy, leather-trimmed 300C totes a high-tech rendition of Chrysler's fabled HEMI engine. The 5.7-liter V8 makes 340 horsepower through an electronic automatic five-speed transmission with Chrysler's AutoStick shifter. Its multi-displacement system (MDS) switches to four-cylinder mode when high power is not needed. Chrysler sets the 300 sedans for rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. Sirius Backseat TV and Boston Acoustics Matrix Surround Sound audio are also new options for this year.

300C SRT8
The initials of SRT — Street and Racing Technology — mark the high-performance vehicles for Chrysler. For the 300C SRT8, a 6.1-liter HEMI V8 with output reaching 425 horsepower is available. Special exterior modifications mark this one, like revamped front fascia with brake-cooling ducts and air dam or the rear decklid spoiler. Its suspension tunes for tight sport work and the brakes score four-piston Brembo calipers. The cockpit contains special sport bolstered bucket seats with suede inserts and power-adjustable pedals, plus an optional Kicker audio kit with 322-watt amp. Curtain-style air bags are available, as are the new 20-inch aluminum wheels.

Sebring
The Sebring, Chrysler's mid-size sedan, scored a complete make-over in 2007 with three powertrain choices. This year, Chrysler adds the Sebring Limited AWD edition powered by a 3.5-liter V6 for 235 horsepower through a six-speed automatic with AutoStick and standard electronic stability program (ESP) skid controls. The Sebring LX is a price-leader entry edition, toting a 2.4-liter, four-in-line with 173 horsepower and a four-speed automatic transaxle. An optional 2.7-liter, V6 flex-fuel (E85-compatible) engine earns up to 28 mpg. Sebring's airy cabin sparks with stylish appointments in two-tone highlights.

Sebring Convertible
Chrysler's mid-size Sebring Convertible offers a slick new design for 2008, bringing three choices for the power retractable roof — vinyl, cloth or steel. No other convertible has so many options for its lid. The Sebring as a drop-top splits into three versions, the entry-model Sebring Convertible, the upscale Touring edition and a deluxe Limited. Each model adds exterior trim elements and interior equipment, as well as a different powertrain. An optional Harmon/Kardon audio system has a dashboard touch-screen interface to control a 20-GB hard drive for music and video storage.

Town & Country
Chrysler's minivans debut new designs for 2008, featuring a two-inch wheelbase stretch with bold exterior lines and three different three-row seat arrangements. The Town & Country offers three available trims, the LX, Touring and Limited. The plans include a second-row bench with fold-in-the-floor, third-row seat, inventive Stow 'n Go with second and third tier seats folding into floor stow bins. A new Swivel 'n Go plan with second-row seats rotating to face the rear bench and a collapsible table in place between the two rows is also available. Powertrains culminate at a new 4.0-liter V6 with a six-speed auto shifter, worth 240 horsepower.

Aspen
Chrysler's full-size SUV comes with two engine options and lots of cabin gear. The top engine is the ultra-strong 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 335 horsepower and MDS to save fuel. The alternate V8 is a new 4.7-liter plant producing 303 horsepower and offering an E85-compatible variation. There is only the Limited trim Aspen available, but it does offer choices for RWD traction or full-time AWD with optional low range. Safety equipment shows standard anti-lock brake system (ABS) plus non-skid ESP and curtain-style side air bags with Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM).

Crossfire
Chrysler's spirited two-seater is a RWD sports coupe blending slick American car styling with chassis and parts from Germany via Mercedes. The collection includes a hardtop coupe and open-top roadster in two trims, the Crossfire and Limited. Crossfire's engine is a single-cam 3.2-liter V6 good for 215 horsepower. Noteworthy mechanical tools are anti-lock brakes (ABS), all-speed traction control (TCS) and the non-skid ESP device. Standard safety equipment include knee air bags for both seats and a new tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Pacifica
Chrysler coined a descriptive tag for Pacifica, the car-based CUV, calling it a Sport Tourer. For 2008, Pacifica offers two powertrain choices with FWD or on-demand AWD traction. The base engine is a 3.8-liter V6 netting 200 horsepower with a four-speed automatic and Chrysler's AutoStick. The optional 4.0-liter V6 generates 253 horsepower and links to a six-speed automatic. Revised trims offered are the LX, Touring and Limited. An optional Entertainment Group package installs a six-disc CD/DVD changer with an 8-inch video screen behind the driver's seat plus a video remote control unit. The Light Sandstone Metallic is Pacifica's latest paint choice.

PT Cruiser
Chrysler's five-door wagon comes in three versions for 2008, with two powertrain choices. Models include a base PT Cruiser LX, the Cruiser Touring and deluxe Limited. The first two draw from a twin-cam, 2.4-liter in-line-four set at 150 horsepower. The Limited pushes a turbo 2.4-liter four tuned for high output. High-rise seats and voluminous space with access through four wide doors plus the flip-up rear gate are also available. Seat-mounted side air bags are now standard on all 2008 Cruisers.

PT Cruiser Convertible
The ragtop derivative of the PT Cruiser looks like the lid of the conventional model was pried off and a shapely roll bar added to arch across the cockpit like the curvy handle of a basket. This open-sky edition gets a power convertible soft top with rear glass window wired with an electric defroster. One well-equipped version for 2008, the PT Cruiser Convertible pulls from a 2.4-liter, four-in-line plant rated at 150 horsepower. Seat-mounted side air bags are stock, and a TPMS is also aboard. Cool body paints like Sunset Crystal and Deep Water Blue prevail.

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